We Have the Mind of Christ

We Have the Mind of Christ

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis My Brother's Keeper study program. This is our We Have the Mind of Christ study. The truth within this SON-derful We Have the Mind of Christ study will truly enhance your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk.

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My Brother's Keeper
We Have the Mind of Christ
Step #5

Welcome back my friend!

I trust you're taking just one step each day. If you try and build on top of something before the glue dries, your project will not turn out very strong. We want it to be perfect!

Today I have an exciting new project for you that will help you remove your problem(s). If you have completed the Christianity Oasis Teen Counseling Program, you have already learned about this in Step 6 ... Known as Miracle Grow. This step is identical to Miracle Grow and it is strongly suggested that you read through this Step Five of My Brother's Keeper just as carefully and even more determined, with eagerness and desire to catch anything you may have missed and to renew your mind about committing daily to giving your life and time and effort to glorifying the Lord. We've named this same program "Aim High" to kind of give the teen program its own individual identity. Let's continue.

As you know, every garden should have the nutrients it needs to feed and nourish it. There's no doubt about it, fertilizer is the best answer for a stronger healthier and more fruitful garden.

Weeds rob your soil from all those valuable nutrients that are necessary for a thriving garden, so we need to replace the nutrients that all those pesky weeds have robbed so that it's rich and fertile once again and you can begin to produce more fruit for the Lord.

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Aim High

This new program is a way of showing God your dedication to being free of your problem. It's also a way of goal setting. You've probably heard many times that it's a proven fact, when you write down your goals on paper, your chances of attaining those goals are tremendously higher than if you don't.

As we discussed in the Trinity study ... You are made up into three individual parts yet are one entity. There is the Soul, the Spirit and the Body. Your Aim High project will help you to strengthen your mind (soul), body, and spirit. In doing so, it's like a preventive maintenance program to avoid and resist new weeds from taking root and old problems from resurfacing in your life.

Strengthen Your Mind

Your mind (the soul) controls your body (flesh) and your emotions (spirit), so strengthening your mind is a very important exercise. Your mind (Soul) tells your body (flesh) and your emotions (your spirit) to act and react to thoughts that your mind (Soul) has within.

Sounds strange huh? Well let me show you just how normal it is.

Imagine if you will ...You are having an absolutely Son-sational day and suddenly you get a call from a friend who tells you that your friend of 20 years has died. You hear this news and it enters the mind (soul) ... You then think sad thoughts and immediately your emotions (spirit) are affected and you feel different than you did 30 seconds earlier.

Your body (flesh) changes in that you can feel weak and tears are created from your eyes. All this from one thought that entered your mind. It is a natural procedure within humans. This procedure within us works the same for all thoughts. Whether the thought be that of anger, jealousy, lust, fear, doubt or pride ... Or good thoughts such as love, understanding, forgiveness, faith and compassion ...

What you believe is what you receive.

Think about this ... We have the mind of Christ.

But, what if we controlled those thoughts that enter our mind (soul) ... Would we not then be able to control our emotions (spirit) and our body (flesh)? How do you strengthen your mind (soul)? With knowledge of the Truth. After removing the seeds within as we have been performing and filling your mind with Truth, it will help you discern good seeds from bad seeds (thoughts).

Now, just hold on here a minute ... Is this one of those new wave or scientific theories? Where did we get this ideology from?

The answer is ...

The Bible

We are told to ... Think good thoughts.

Paul is telling us that we should control our thoughts and think on these good thoughts. The Bible clearly reveals that we are to gain control and strengthen our minds. Remember? Be transformed by Renewing your mind. Put on the new man.

Serve God with your mind.

Renew the mind.

Forget the past, think forward, be thus minded.

Sooooooo, as you can see ... The Bible is clear.

We are commanded to renew our minds.

Another Truth is that we can get a leash on our lives.

In the Aim High project, you'll be strengthening the control your mind (soul) has over the body (flesh). Remember that the mind (soul) controls the body (flesh), so you'll be using your mind (soul) to control your body (flesh) also.

Strengthen Your Spirit

Again ... It is very important for you to understand that your spirit is the part of you that listens and obeys the things that your mind (soul) tells it to feel. Let me further elaborate on this topic ... You have many different emotions. Happiness, sorrow, anxiety, fear, excitement, love, anger, etc., etc. Your spirit holds these emotions only if you think thoughts which produce said emotions (spiritual reactions).

Your spirit reacts with these feelings when your mind (soul) tells your spirit that something is sad as in the example given before, your spirit says "got it" and you become grieved in your spirit. Your mind changes your spiritual condition. What a gift, huh? Many people think that the spirit and the soul are the same thing, but the Bible provided us with the amazing truth. Your mind is the soul, and it controls your spirit. Your soul (mind) is like your control center for your feelings and emotions. Get a leash on those puppies.

Make sure you have read this study (if you have not already) as to fully understand this Truth before continuing down our path. It will prove to be vital to your new life's growth.

Your mind (soul) and your spirit can cause physical reactions too. Tears, goose bumps, shaking, laughter as well as sexual changes. All this just from a thought planted in your mind (soul). These all happen because your mind (soul) told your spirit something and it caused the physical reaction.

You can control your spirit by changing your thoughts. All you have to do, is send your spirit the signal for a different emotion by thinking differently. But ... Your mind (soul) has to believe it to be Truth. It happens with you ... Or without your being aware of it.

Have you ever been thinking of a problem and then got busy with your daily agenda and all day long you felt this bad feeling of doom, though the day was going pretty good? It is that your mind (soul) did not resolve the earlier problem that you thought of, and your spirit is crying out because it is reacting to the problem that you were thinking of earlier.

Even though you are not consciously aware of the thought.

You may think that it will be difficult to control your emotions, by controlling your thoughts because some of these thoughts have been there for quite some time and are very strong, but with the Aim High project ... You will be strengthening your mind with Truth, and you will find that Truth has a way of breaking the chains and setting you free.

Later on down The Path you'll discover that the Holy Spirit will be your guide in helping you with controlling your thoughts and thereby your spirit.

Responsibility

Before we move ahead into the exciting explanation of the Son-sational Aim High Project, let us have a little chat about ... Personal Responsibility.

As you very well know, in any undertaking, there is some measure of responsibility involved. If you're a student in school, and you don't do the schoolwork or the homework, you begin to have problems. You have to write things down, and read things and repeatedly study things until they become ingrained in you, and then after that, you no longer need your notes or your books to look them up.

What about practical life endeavors? If you have a checking account, you have to fill out a deposit or withdrawal slip each time you make a transaction, or you may count on a computer or smart phone for your record keeping. If you want to keep your records straight, and not run into problems, you have to keep current, and you have to keep records regularly. If you think about it, just about everything in your life that you want to keep organized, requires documentation of one kind or another in order to avoid problems. Even a small thing like keeping your grocery list current may not seem like much, but it is a very important responsibility.

This documentation isn't mandatory, but without it, things get quite chaotic.

The same is true of music. If you were learning to play the guitar, for example ... You will have to look at your sheet music until you learn the notes, and you'll have to look at your fingers until you become so familiar with each chord that you can play them without looking. Then, once you memorize a song, you can play it without looking at your sheet music or your fingers.

Now, you can read through your "Learn to Play the Guitar" book one time, and play each chord once or twice, and say that you've done the work, but if you don't practice regularly, you will never learn to play the guitar.

But ... If you do practice and choose to get into it, you will play guitar and will not need the "Learn to Play the Guitar" book eventually because it is within you.

Why am I going through all this rigmarole? (The word rigmarole is really a word that is documented in the dictionary!)

Because you're here for a reason.

One of those reasons is because God has led you here, and another reason is that other methods you have tried using to rid your life of your problem(s), have not worked.

Do not let the enemy of your soul try to discourage you.

If we have the mind of Christ, we have skills deep within.

Most rewarding things in life require responsibility. If you want to have good health, like it or not, you have to be responsible about what you consume. That pertains to your mental health as well as your physical health. If you want a nice home, you have to clean it. If you want a nice car, you have to maintain it. If you want a nice garden ... You get where I'm going with this ... Freedom of problems requires responsibility.

The Aim High project likewise requires responsibility. It works if you apply it, just like every other worthwhile thing in life.

Most people get very defensive if anything looks like an endangerment to their free time ... However, the good news is ... The Aim High Program offers not one, but two different, very flexible options, so that you may choose to customize it to your schedule and adjust it to perform it at your own pace. Like exercise for the mind and spirit.

My friend, what is it that causes a lot of problems in your life in the first place? Spending time with the world, instead of spending time with God. Some people call it free time ... But, we both know it always costs something in the long run. This Aim High path is sort of a way to commit your plans to God and when you do this, your plans will succeed:

I also want you to understand that it is Biblically sound.

Consider the Ten Commandments and all the statutes and ordinances that God gave to Moses. God Himself first wrote the Ten Commandments on the first two tables of stone that Moses brought down the mountain, and told Moses to write down other laws of God for the people to follow. This documentation was studied until it became part of their normal routine.

Why? Because organization brings peace into our lives.

Why do you keep documentation? Why do you refer to your cookbook when you cook? Why do you use text books or references to learn or study something? Why do you keep your receipts for your income taxes?

Because you believe that these things are necessary for organization ...

They minimize the problems that you could have if you didn't follow these methods.

Now I ask you, if your worldly, menial, every day life tasks involve documentation that you don't question performing, wouldn't you want to do the same ... With even greater enthusiasm for your spiritual well being ... And wouldn't God appreciate that?

Remember, this little program is not mandatory, but take a little inventory of your daily routines or rituals and decide for yourself if you spend more time serving God, or the requirements of the world. If you're serious about getting rid of your problems and habits, this is an awesome way to renew the mind as we are taught to do. There's one last thing I'd like to mention before we look into what's involved in the Aim High Program.

King David was a Psalm writer ... He wrote poems, psalms, songs and letters to God. It wasn't mandatory that he write them down, but because of David's documentation, we are spiritually uplifted when we read his heartfelt, God inspired words. And we know that God was very fond of David.

We Have the Mind of Christ Aim High Project
How to Change Your Mind Charts

The most important thing is to remember that during this Aim High Step, you will find that you may not achieve your daily goals at times. Consider it like being reborn and as a baby you are learning to walk. You may stumble here and there but if you keep trying, you will reach your goals. Do not allow yourself to be discouraged.

During the early stages as you adapt to how to renew the mind, you may need to adjust your goals to be sure they are attainable, yet you still want them to be a little bit of a challenge. Then, gradually adjust your Aim High procedure as you see fit, as time goes by and you adapt to the Aim High process.

Kind of like fertilizer in a garden, if you put too much or not enough, you won't get your desired results, so be sure and be patient as you begin this process and figure out what is the best balance for you and your lifestyle and daily requirements. This will all make sense in just a few moments.

It is not a job ... It is an adventure!

You will need to choose to perform this daily, taking one day off per week for rest, as we are taught to do. (Honor the Sabbath Day.) This day can be either Saturday (the Jewish Sabbath) or Sunday (the Lord's day) ...

Now, remember I mentioned that the Aim High program offers two options? Let's call them Option A and Option B. You are free to choose which one is best for your life, for your progress, for your schedule, and for your spiritual needs.

You may notice that the chart is called "Miracle Grow" Option A. That is because the small child and adults programs also have the same program, with different names, but the charts can be used for all three programs.

Click on an option below to view either Option A or Option B of the Aim High Charts. If you have access to a printer, you can print out the PDF or you can make your own chart similar to these with pencil and paper. The links are below the screen-shot of the chart.

Following the Aim High charts, we'll discuss how it works.

Again, if you do not have access to a printer, you can just create your own on a sheet of paper.

Aim High Instructions

Read all the instructions below first to make sure you don't miss anything.

There are 10 categories for Option B per page which means you need 10 columns for said categories. For Option A, you will need 5 columns. We will talk about the categories in a little bit.

Add a column at far left of page for the date and a column at the far right for the daily score, or Points.

This means your page will have 12 columns total for Option B, and 7 columns total for Option A.

Fill in the dates along the left hand column.

Along the top row of each area, you will write in the activities that you choose to do. On the printable charts just write your activities right over the light gray font that says "Fill in activity here."

As you complete an activity each day, you write Yes in the column underneath it corresponding with the date.

For the activities that you don't accomplish, write a big red No in the box.

At the end of each day, total up your points for each separate area and write the number in the column on the right where it says "Points."

The grading system is simple ... For each activity that you accomplish, you will give yourself 10 points for Option B and 20 points for Option A. There are a possible 100 points per day. At the end of each week, add up the six days and divide it by six and that is your week's average.

•    100 = A+
• 90-99 = A
• 80-89 = B
• 70-79 = C
• 60-69 = D
• Below 60 = F

You can also add up the points at the end of the week and write them in the row at the bottom of each area where it says "Average" to see your weekly grade.

You can do monthly totals as well if you like. Just add all totals and divide by the amount of days. (Excluding your Sabbath day off)

Free

Aim High Note: Everyone knows that life is not particularly cooperative all the time. Therefore, in addition to your Sabbath days off, allow yourself 3 days each month as Free Days when you can excuse yourself from your activities with no penalty on your grade. If you're sick, or can't find time because of unexpected circumstances, or whatever the reason, this is the time to take a Free Day.

Pssssssst ... Here is another allowable thing concerning your Aim High activities. If you do any of your Aim High activities on a Sabbath or a Free Day, they may be carried over to the next day. In fact, if you want to get several days ahead because you anticipate that you won't be able to do your Aim High activities because of a foreseen conflict in your schedule, you may do that too.

Perhaps you are expecting out of town company or you have to take a business trip or are going out of town on vacation, these are times when you may choose to get ahead. When you do this, don't neglect God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit on those Free Days. He still exists in your life, even when time does not allow for certain other things.

Be fair. If quitting smoking is one of your activities and you conquer this, it wouldn't be fair to keep 'no smoking' as an activity forever.

If you only accomplish part of an activity, then go ahead and give yourself whatever percentage you feel is fair.

If you ever find yourself dreading your Aim High activities, something needs to be adjusted. It is meant to be uplifting and spiritually edifying.

Set goals ... Set a specific reward for yourself if you achieve your goals, and promise yourself that the only way you will claim your reward is if you earn it. Make your reward something you really want to do or have, and something that will encourage you to continue on your journey to freedom from your problem(s).

We Have the Mind of Christ Renew Your Mind Suggestions
How to Change Your Mind at Your Own Pace

I can give you some ideas for activities, but remember, these are examples only. You will custom design your Aim High project for your individual needs and goals.

Your, Aim High project should be challenging and yet enjoyable.

Strengthen Your Mind

• Pray 3 times a day.
• Read a chapter of the Bible.
• Read 5 Psalms.
• Read one chapter of Proverbs.
• Read a spiritual book for ___ minutes.
• Read the Daily Word.
• Do a Bible crossword puzzle.
• Play a Christian board game.
• (You can also include your Stepping Stones too, until you're finished, or go back through them again if you like.)

Strengthen Your Body

Here are some Aim High ideas ...

• Fast (or abstain from a habit you have) for ___ hours (unless Doctor requires you to do so).
• Be completely still and quiet with your eyes closed for ___ minutes. This is a good time to invite the Holy Spirit to commune with you.
• Break a habit, by only having a certain amount of cigarettes, coffee, tea, soda, etc., per day, reducing slowly as the weeks or months progress.
• Cut back on a food item that you know is bad for you ... You can call it a snackrifice! 😁
• Stop cussing.
• Devote ___ minutes a day toward making a real garden. (While you work on this, focus your thoughts on how the garden is spiritually like you. Go ahead and pull some weeds while you're at it, and talk Truth with yourself.)
• Do a good deed for someone that takes physical effort.
• Exercise ... Specific exercise programs you create.
• Weight loss program.
• Volunteer for a worthy cause. A couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon could give you points.

Strengthen Your Spirit

• Listen to some Christian music, concentrating on the words. I encourage you to listen to spiritual music whenever you can, but for your points, isolate this activity so you can give it your full attention.
• Spend time alone with the Holy Spirit. (Actually provide a seat for Him.)
• Attend a Bible study or other church function. (Again, this can cover as many points as you think is fair.)
• Sing a hymn - singing comes from the spirit.
• Light a candle. (Fire is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.)
• Praising comes from the spirit, too. Spend 5 minutes praising God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
• Write a psalm to God.

Again, these are only examples of how to create your Aim High program. Customize your program so that your goals are attainable. Your program should be reasonable to attain. The last thing you want to do is set up an impossible program. At the same time, keep the leap of faith factor in there, and count on the Holy Spirit to help you attain goals that you ask Him to help you with.

If you find that you don't have a large block of time at any given time of the day, break up your Aim High activities into several different segments and that may make your goals easier.

I encourage you to replace your Aim High activities from time to time. Not all of them at once, but one or a couple at a time. If you use the same fertilizer all the time, your plants get used to it and they don't grow as well as they did when you first started. Give yourself variety. Keep it exciting. You should never grow bored with it. If you do, change the activities that need perking up.

Before any given month is over, you should have your How to change your mind Aim High chart for the next month made and ready to go. It shows God your eagerness to succeed for Him, and when your new month begins, you won't have to make a chart when you can be starting your activities.

If the first of the month falls on a Tuesday, start your Aim High week on Tuesday for that month. You will have partial weeks left at the end of each month except in February of non-leap years, so just average your weekly score of that partial week by dividing your total points by the number of days in that partial week. Then start afresh each month. A fresh start is always a great and encouraging feeling that motivates everyone.

Aim High is a spiritual offering to God. You are sacrificing your time to give it to Him. He sacrificed His only Son's life for you, now you're giving Him back a piece of your life by sacrificing the selfish thoughts and deeds as to spend more time with the Holy Spirit.

We Have the Mind of Christ Summary
How to Change Your Mind Conclusion

Another way of looking at this is to compare your time dedicated to the Lord like an analogy to antibiotics. The Lord is not an antibiotic ... You can't just take a prescribed amount of Him and be all better forever. You have to take him all the time, more like insulin! You need Him in your blood ... Steady doses, or you're sure to have problems.

Remember ... By renewing your mind, body, and spirit, it is a way of glorifying God.

Another thing Aim High does is change your lifestyle. A hard thing to do when you have a problem is to stop thinking about it. You're setting new goals for yourself now, and if you ponder on your problem, keeping it in your memory, you may be keeping it from going away. Release it into God's hands. Give it to God ... He wants you to, you know.

Let Go and Let God!

Let Go (of your problem), And Let God (remove it)!

The Apostle Paul said:

Forget the past, think forward!

Aim high!

Reach for the stars!

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